Kate Robinson’s life is in tatters. Her long-term boyfriend has dumped her, her fashion career is failing thanks to an incompetent advisor, and her mother has died. Determined to renew herself, Kate departs on a long trip to Ireland, where she and her mother had planned to go before the cancer took away all plans. Inadvertently, she stumbles upon Glenmara and a group of five women who have carried on the hereditary tradition of making lace while their own lives are uncertain and unhappy. Together, Kate and the lace makers of Glenmara strive to not only rediscover their own lives, but to give their fading town a fresh start on the world stage.
I think the key word when it comes to this book is simply “not enough”. The Lace Makers of Glenmara is meant to be inspiring and heart-warming with a simple story about the friendships between women, with one in particular as a focal point. As always, Ireland itself is enchanting, and Glenmara and its generally aging residents are a product of a society long gone. There is a mystical touch on Kate’s journey to Glenmara with William the Traveller. Kate’s need for a new outlook on life is completely understandable. Yet so much of this book rang false for me. It seemed incredibly unlikely that Bernie would offer to let a stranger live with her when they had only met five minutes ago, against the advice of her best friend. The romance was incredibly quick and not at all fleshed out. Kate and Sullivan basically fall into bed together and are immediately serious after that with no real development of the initial relationship, so his panic shortly afterwards just seems strange. This is especially so given that we’re told he sleeps around quite frequently and is never serious about anyone. Kate seems different just because she reminds him of someone else, but that’s an incredibly shaky base for a relationship. Lace making itself is undoubtedly fascinating, but again, few details are really given in the book. The events within could also have been incredibly moving, and the book tries hard to accomplish that, but we haven’t spent enough time with the characters to feel grief on their behalf.
At its core, the story is still a good one. I love how the lace could renew a community by giving it new strength and new visitors. Its effect on the women’s lives is itself slightly magical, which adds to the overall mystical feel of the book. It isn’t that I disliked the book, it is just that I put it down wishing for more story, more detail, more characters, more everything. The Lace Makers of Glenmara is well conceived but poorly executed.
I don’t think you were alone about this book. I tried reading this but was unsuccessful. Just could not hold my interest.
.-= diane´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday – September 28th =-.
Thanks for your thoughts on this one, Meghan. Every time I see it at the library I almost take it home but never do. I can never decide! I’ve seen lots of good reviews but lots of so-so reviews too, and I am thinking I’ll probably pass on this one for a while.
.-= Heather @ Book Addiction´s last blog ..A Disobedient Girl by Ru Freeman =-.
Too bad about the ‘not enough’ when the cover is so nice. Maybe they give the so-so books better covers on purpose.
.-= Julia Smith´s last blog ..Poetry Train Monday – 120 – Having Your Cake and Eating It Too =-.
I requested this book from the library. I am glad that I didn’t buy it because the reviews have really been all over the place!
.-= Kailana´s last blog ..Five Soothing Songs for the Recently Unemployed =-.
I’m still looking forward to reading this one — How can I resist a book that has “lace makers” in the title?
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Guest Post: Joy Preble, author of Dreaming Anastasia =-.
Don’t you just hate it when books don’t give you enough? I’d almost rather have a tome with too much in it than not enough.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..TSS: The Reader Returneth =-.
Sorry to hear that this one didn’t totally deliver. I had been wondering about this book, and thinking that it sounded like a really interesting read, but based on the fact that you thought much of it didn’t ring true, I think I’ll skip it. I am glad that your review was so honest. Your insight on this book really helped me to decide whether or not it was worth the hardcover price. Thanks!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Moonlight in Odessa by Janet Skeslien Charles – 352 pgs =-.
I’ve read so many rave reviews of this book, but I couldn’t get through it. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one. =)
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..Review – The Sandman: The Dream Hunters =-.
Darn, I’m disappointed to see that this book is poorly executed. I had really high hopes for it.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Literary Road Trip and Review: The Lonely Shadow =-.
I agree, that lots of parts could have been fleshed out a bit more, but overall, I loved this book (and sobbed like a baby during the end).
I especially liked how the author incorporated a lot of Irish mythology and superstition.
.-= Nari @ The Novel World´s last blog ..Banned BooksWeek Spotlight: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings =-.
I love the book cover and this one was in one of my Wednesday cover attraction post… I actually thought this one will be good… but after this review i dnt think I will pick this up!
.-= Veens´s last blog ..A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini =-.
It’s frustrating when books are “not enough.” I have this one on my shelf as well. Hmmm… I do like Ireland (not that I’ve ever been there), so hopefully it will be nice to read a book set there once I get around to it.
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..#201 ~ Her Fearful Symmetry =-.
You and I had pretty much the same thoughts on this book, I think I reviewed it a few weeks ago. It was just not well developed enough, and I made the same comments about the relationship in the novel. It just wasn’t believeable!
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Ice Land – Betsy Tobin =-.